Snapshot
The Bulldogs are being widely backed for the wooden spoon in 2013 and after a terrible year last season. They seem to be behind the development of Melbourne, Port Adelaide and the two expansion sides in Gold Coast and Greater Western Sydney. Coach Brendan McCartney begs to differ, and his side will be out to prove themselves on Saturday afternoon. They will face stiff competition though, as the reigning NAB Cup premiers travel to Melbourne to keep their unbeaten record this season alive. This will be Brisbane’s third game in a row at Docklands, and they will be hoping to clinch their third win from there.

New faces
Saturday afternoon will see a total of five players making their debut for their new club, and one player making their official AFL debut. That man is Brett Goodes, the 28 year old younger brother of Sydney star Adam. After a flawless pre-season, Goodes has been tipped to give vital experience to the backline as well as through the midfield. He will have a few teammates donning the famous Footscray jumper for the first time, including former Collingwood defender Tom Young, ex-Fremantle and Port Adelaide midfielder Nick Lower, and hard-nut Koby Stevens who was recruited from West Coast.

At the Lions, former Melbourne duo Stefan Martin and Brent Moloney will play their first official game with their new club. For Moloney, it is his third crack at an AFL team, having had a stint with Geelong at the start of his career. No doubt there will be plenty of nervous energy, not just from this group of players too.

Changing scenery
He is one of the classiest players on the Western Bulldogs’ list, but 2013 could see more time spent in the forward line for Bob Murphy after his role off of half-back in the past five or so seasons. He is capable of kicking goals (34 in 2008, 33 in 2005) and he could be the much-needed spark that the Bulldogs’ forward line needs. Spare a thought for Goodes as well, formerly a welfare manager at the Bulldogs, now he will be plugging holes in defence.

Drafted as a versatile forward, Patrick Karnezis spent his second season in the AFL finding his way as a midfielder in the NEAFL. Now, judging by his 2013 NAB Cup performance, he is ready to make the switch at the highest level. Karnezis has plenty of skill and is one of Brisbane’s most promising youngters. At 190cm and 90kg, it is very hard to forecast what role he’ll be playing in five years.

SuperCoach
He’s arguably the Western Bulldogs’ best player, and now a genuine SuperCoach gem. Midfielder Ryan Griffen is a unique pick for your side, and after averaging 99.5 SuperCoach points from two full-length NAB Cup games, it bodes well for his proper season form. He has a hefty price tag at $567,400, but you can sleep easy at night if you have him in your team.

He was the best performing player in terms of SuperCoach for players that played majority of the games in the NAB Cup, and it is ominous for his real season form for Daniel Rich. The Lions’ midfield star costs $485,800, but expect that price to rise. If you want to get on the Rich train that averaged 114.5 points from two full-length NAB Cup games, then you would want to get on it now.

History
Since 2000, the Western Bulldogs and Brisbane have played 24 times. From left to right, this is the result of each game since the start of the millenium.

Western Bulldogs home game (Etihad Stadium/MCG)
Western Bulldogs: 6/10
Brisbane Lions: 4/10

Brisbane home game (Gabba)
Western Bulldogs: 4/13
Brisbane: 9/13

Prediction

You wouldn’t blame Dog supporters for feeling a little apprehensive about this game, especially when they are coming up against the boom side of the competition at the moment and a side that has the wood on them on recent times. I have had a little feeling about the WESTERN BULLDOGS for a couple of weeks now, and with Round 1 usually throwing up some upset victories, I think we’ll see a bit of a boil-over, for no reason other than I’ll look like a king if it comes off.